An earnest Christian doctor one day called to see an old man that he had frequently visited before. Many a time had the doctor spoken faithfully to old John and his wife about their souls' salvation, but apparently without result. The old man listened attentively, and tacitly agreed to all that was set before him, but he always managed to avoid coming to the point.
Now old John was suffering from an attack of bronchitis. His life was not in danger, but he was in pain, weak and ill. The doctor made the necessary examination, and promised to have some medicine ready when called for. He was about to say "good-by" when the wife of the sick man inquired: "When must John take the medicine, sir?”
"I will put the directions on the label," replied the doctor. Then, with a smile, he turned to the invalid and said, "Let me see; you are not very ill. Suppose you begin taking the medicine in a month.”
"In a month!" cried both at once in astonishment. "Yes; why not? Is that too soon?”
"Too soon!—Why, I may be dead then!" said John.
"That is true; but you must remember you really are not very ill yet. Still perhaps you had better begin to take it in a week.”
"But, beggin' your pardon, sir, I mightn't live a week," cried John in great perplexity.
"Of course, you may not, John. But very likely you will, and the medicine will be in the house; it will keep! And if you find yourself getting worse you could take some. I shall not charge anything for it. If you should feel worse tomorrow you might begin even then.”
"Doctor, I may be dead tomorrow!”
"When would you like to begin then, John?”
"Well, sir, I thought you would tell me to begin today.”
"Begin today by all means," said the doctor, kindly. "I only wanted to show you how false your reasoning is when you put off taking the medicine which the Great Physician has provided for your sin-sick soul. Just think how long you have neglected the remedy God has provided. For years you have turned away from the Lord Jesus. You have said to yourself, 'next week,' or `next year,' or 'when I am on my deathbed, I will seek the Lord'— any time rather than the present. And yet the present is the only time that you are sure of God's offer, for it is only for today.”